Doctor Who: Casting for the New Time Lord Is "Ongoing," Says Producer

After Whovians were done mourning the departure of Doctor Who's Matt Smith from the iconic BBC series (some fans took minutes, some are still weeping), the next question on everyone's mind was: Who will be the next Time Lord?

According to producer Marcus Wilson, they have no idea…yet.

"It's an open book at the moment," Wilson said during the Doctor Who panel at the Television Critics Association press tour. "At the moment we're concentrating on Matt's send-off."

As for fans asking for a female Doctor or suggesting up their own dream actors for the role, Wilson insists that anything, and anyone, is possible.

"The search is ongoing. You just want the best actor possible for the role," he said. "We've been so looking to have a great succession of fantastic actors. You just have to cast the net wide and hope you find somebody brilliant."

When asked about his departure from the series, Smith promised that his decision to leave the show wasn't one he came to lightly. He simply felt it was time.

"I've done it for four years. We shoot nine, ten months a year. And I think the show has come to a natural tipping point, and it's at the top of a cycle," Smith said. "I think it's a good time for me and the show. I'll miss it. It was a hard choice. It wasn't an easy choice to make."

Wilson added with a laugh: "We tried to change your mind a few times."

Smith's exit was announced in the beginning of June. His last episode is the 50th anniversary special in November; however, the BBC says that he will pop up in the Christmas special.